The Valerie Blouse is worked from the top down in one piece. The blouse is worked back and forth the same way as a cardigan and has a slanted opening across the front. The front opening is closed at the end with buttons. The yoke is constructed so the sleeve increases are worked first, and then the raglan increases are worked. Short rows are worked to shape the neckline. The sleeves are worked in the round on double-pointed needles or on a circular needle using the Magic Loop technique.

Knit a swatch to determine which needle size gives you the correct gauge. Wash the swatch before measuring the gauge as the recommended yarn grows with wash and wear.

Size guide
The Valerie Blouse is designed to have approx. 2 cm [¾ inches] of negative ease, meaning it is designed to be approx. 2 cm [¾ inches] smaller in circumference than your bust measurement. The sizes XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL) are designed to fit a bust circumference of 75-80 (80-85) 85-90 (90-95) 95-100 (100-110) 110-120 (120-130) 130-140 (140-150) cm [29½-31½ (31½-33½) 33½-35½ (35½-37½) 37½-39½ (39½-43¼) 43¼-47¼ (47¼-51¼) 51¼-55 (55-59) inches]. The measurements for the finished blouse can be found on the front page of the pattern (note that these measurements only apply if the correct gauge is maintained throughout). Measure yourself before beginning your project, to determine which size will fit you the best. For example, if you measure 90 cm [35½ inches] around your bust (or around the widest part of your upper body) you should knit a size S. A size S blouse has a bust circumference of 89 cm [35 inches] which in the given example would give you 1 cm [½ inches] of negative ease.

Schematics can be found here.

Sizes:
XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL)

Bust circumference:
78 (83) 89 (94) 98 (109) 118 (129) 138 (149) cm
[30¾ (32¾) 35 (37) 38½ (43) 46½ (50¾) 54¼ (58¾) inches]

Length:
46 (49) 51 (53) 56 (57) 58 (59) 62 (63) cm
[18 (19¼) 20 (20¾) 22 (22½) 22¾ (23¼) 24½ (24¾) inches]
measured mid back

Gauge:
23 sts x 33 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in stockinette stitch on a 3.5 mm [US4] needle

Needles:
Circular needles: 3.5 mm [US4] / 40, 60 and 80 and/or 100 cm [16, 24 and 32 and/or 40 inches];
Double-pointed needles: 3.5 mm [US4]

Materials:
175 (200) 200 (200-225) 225 (250) 250 (275) 275 (300) g Soft Silk Mohair by Knitting for Olive (25 g = 225 m [246 yds])
or 140 (140) 160 (160) 180 (180-200) 200 (220) 220 (240) g Deluxe Silk Mohair by Krea Deluxe (20 g = 240 m [262 yds])
or 200 (200) 200-225 (225) 250 (250-275) 275 (300) 300 (325) g Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds])
or Silk Mohair by Isager Yarn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]).
Note that two strands of yarn are held together throughout. The stated yardage amounts are the total yardage needed.

12 (13) 13 (14) 14 (15) 15 (16) 17 (17) buttons (Ø = 10-12 mm)
(the number of buttons should be seen as a guide)

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ (3 out of 5)

See the classification of difficulty here.

The brown Valerie Blouse is knitted in Soft Silk Mohair by Knitting for Olive in the color Brun bjørn.